The Sessions Clan

Cameron Emily Sessions

2011-04-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

I'll tell "the story" when I have more time... I just HAD to get some pics up!

2011-01-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

So here's a little update without the pics...I know, the NEVER happens! So, for those of you who don't know, I am PREGNANT finally! YAY!! I'm actually about 7 months now! Due around April 3rd! We went in for my 20 week ultrasound, back in Nov., with the intention of finding out the sex and walked away just as clueless! Yes, the baby was breech with legs squished behind my pubic bone with the umbilical cord in between the legs, to boot... SO, to prety much sum up my feelings this whole pregnancy thus far, I've been pretty care free and SO not stressed about ANYTHING so far! It's very strange because I would NEVER have seen myself as the "we want it to be a surprise" sorta girl, but even if they do another ultrasound, I don't think I'll want to know even then! Now that we're kinda stuck with not knowing, I'm totally game because I will probably NEVER choose this way in the future...:D
Other than baby news, Ashton is officially HALF WAY done with her chemo!!! YAY!!!! She's been doing GREAT so far and it actually hasn't been all that unbearable. So another half sounds like a BREEZE!!! She has 7 treatments left and 2 more sets of ct scans and x-rays, and will finish by the end of May if we can stay on schedule! Our goal for her past ct scan was to be able to do it without sedation (its my LEAST favorite part..I hate seeing her awake but unresponsive...it just creeps me out..and the recovery is just as tough as her actual chemo) So we prayed, talked, practiced and prepared like CRAZY to have her be comfortable doing the scan without sedation and she DID IT!!!!! I was soooo proud of her!!!! And proud of Dan for being able to keep her calm and confident since I'm not allowed in anymore..I am SO grateful for the full time angels that are with my Ashton girl. She never ceases to amaze me! I can't wait to be done with all of this but I haven't received so many blessings in all my life.
Now the interesting part should be in about 2.5 months when the baby is due (April) and Ashton will still have 2 months of chemo left....My sister is convinced I'm going to go into labor the night before we're supposed to go in for chemo so Dan will drop me off at the hospital and then have to take Ashton downtown for the day! So silly...I've decided there's too many disastrous scenarios that could happen so I'm convinced Heavenly Father has all this timed perfectly and flawlessly, of course, and everything will go so smoothly and stress free! I'm excited to see it all play out!
We are a blessed family, more so than many I feel! I'm not bragging, just aware and grateful! We're excited to see what this new year brings for the Sessions' family!

ChRiStMaS!!

2011-01-07T15:19:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Good old Santa came to visit our ward Christmas party:) Christmas Eve jammies! JOY!

Ashton took pictures of all of us and made us be silly:)

Making cookies for Santa!

Thanks to EVERYONE who make this girl's Christmas so wonderful...

Thanksgiving and Ashton's 4th birthday!

2011-01-07T15:12:00.001-08:00

We got to celebrate Ashton birthday with the Sessions' side as well! Lucky girl:)
It's amazing what you can find in grandma and grandpa's basement! hahaha!
And finally, her actual birthDAY at home! She wanted donuts instead of a cake:) YUM!

Don't ask.....its tradition and yes shooting a woodpecker is illegal...at least he found that out AFTER the fact! If its any consolation...

Wow! I'm a little behind on things...

2011-01-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

Seriously?! My last post was in OCTOBER?!! Sorry to whoever checks my blog and sorry to myself for being a bad journal keeper....so here's some pics of the latest.. The first several are of our FUN visit down to St. George to see my family...just after my mom had her bike accident..:( she's healing quickly and is down to her last few weeks of having to wear her back brace-YAY!

Jackie asked a friend of hers if she could take Ashton horse back riding for her bday! Ashton had a BLAST riding "Ink"! She kept laughing the faster he'd go and would yell, "Ride like the wind Bullseye!" So funny....THANKS AUNT JACKIE (and friend Jace!)
Jackie was Ms. Malloy in Hello Dolly while we were there! FUN! Ashton has been singing songs from this musical ever since we've been back...no joke....going on 2 months now! So funny...

Fall Fun!

2010-10-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

LOVE THEM!!

I LOVE THIS SEASON!
We had so much fun spending conference weekend with the Johnson's going to an apple orchard and then some! These girls are so cute together and I wouldn't trade any of these people for the world! THIS is the life!

The last days before fall and holidays!!

2010-09-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

To start the month I got to have another birthday! So for my birthday Dan thought it would be fun to go to the Jelly Belly Factory with everyone! I agreed! It was fun but the best part was trying all the samples at the end;) The girls had a fun time on the train tour! So cute!! Although I must admit my FAVORITE part of my birthday was getting new pots and pans from my mom and dad! THANKS!! I absolutely LoVe them!

We also had another chemo treatment (actually the last day of Aug. but whatev!) and she did GREAT! No puking at the hospital this time around! Yay:) Grandpa came to visit, as always, and brought goodies, as always! Thanks grandpa!! We had to leave her port accessed at the end of the day which she was NOT happy about but somehow she managed to live with it! What a trooper...4 chemo treatments down, 14 to go! Hang in there baby:) she's really doing super great and I'm so proud of her!

I had to take Ashton out of pre-school this year because I just didn't want to worry about missing so many days and all the germs that could be so dangerous for her little body...so instead, I decided to put her in a small ballet class! She was SO excited to go (in theory!)...We even got there her first day super early to get comfortable with her surroundings and teacher. She's been REALLY shy and scared about new places since she started chemo so I had a feeling she'd need some time so she'd be ready when class started...It took a LOT of convincing for her to go sit down with her class and teacher, but she FINALLY did once her teacher offered a spot right next to her..:) I QUICKLY snuck out of the room and sat on the other side of the one way mirror...within about 2 minutes her face started to cloud up and she buried her face in her hands, which isn't a good sign....I was like, ohhh nooo....she's gonna CRY! It was so sad! But just as quickly as it came, it went away and she was moving and talking with her teacher and class for the rest of the time! She did GREAT and was very good at listening and following directions. I was, again, so proud of her! Can't wait for next time:)

Running for Ashton!

2010-08-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

My dear friends put together an AMAZING fundraiser for my darling Ashton. It started with a strength test consisting of push ups, sit ups, tricept dips, and leg lifts. We did each for 3 minutes! (felt a LOT longer than 3 minutes each!) Then we all went straight into the endurance part: a 5K around our neighborhood! Dani and I (both PREGNANT) ran the whole thing! It was sooo much fun and Ashton gained 3 new bald buddies! Thanks EVERYONE!!! I was amazed at how many people came and were so generous and loving!

Words cannot tell how grateful we are too all!

Adventures in August

2010-08-25T16:41:00.001-07:00

Lots of big and fun events happened in August! My mom and sister, Jackie, came back "home" to us and then my brother, Austin, returned from his mission in Argentina! It was such an amazing week to have EVERYONE together again! It was too short and we miss them all already! (All but Britney's fam and my family have left Chicago and gone to Utah from here on out! SAD!)

First day back with Grandma! We missed her so...

Happy reunion!

Ashton and her Great Grandpa were inseparable all week long! (Ashton's middle name is after this Grandpa's first wife, Paula, who died of cancer.) I think they have a special bond!

MASSAGE TRAIN!! What was I doing behind the camera?!?

Off to church and our last day together...

My BEST friends in the whole world!
(Including my awesome hubby of course!)

Fourth of July!*!/ANOTHER Bald Uncle!!

2010-07-15T12:01:00.001-07:00

I must have missed posting for the fourth! Here's all the fun we had on our fourth! :)

A growing "Bald Buddies" team!

2010-07-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

A few of the guys in our ward wanted to be a part of Ashton's "Bald Buddy" club and have her shave their heads. (too sweet!) Ashton was soo timid to do it herself, darn, but we still got it done! Here's Joseph, Kyle and eventually Pedro! We LOVE YOU GUYS and love the support for our Ashton!

What a GREAT looking group huh?!?! Thanks for helping make Ashton happy and feel special!

Touches my heart...

2010-06-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

Last night for Ashton's bedtime prayer she said something that just took my breath away...it started out about the same as usual, but ended in a very different way,

"please bless Alex and Tenny (little girls we met at the hospital) that they will have strong bodies, please bless Sister Carson that she will feel better soon, and bless Uncle Austin in Argentina. I'm grateful for the doctors that they could get the cancer bugs out of me and I could feel better...."

Oh my goodness my heart just stopped! I couldn't believe such words were coming out of my little 3 year old all on her own! I felt such sorrow and gratitude at the same time....It breaks my heart to hear such a little thing talk about such a big thing! Yet it was so comforting to hear her understand what's going on and that the doctors are the good guys! I'm so proud of my girl!
She never ceases to amaze me!

Our fun we had in June!

2010-06-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Having fun with her new "juicer" and grandpa!This is what her hair looked like after church today. She told me she wants to just shave it all off...AHHH!!!! I dunno if I can handle that yet! But it does look pretty pathetic... What a great girl!

Another uncle bald, three to go!;)

2010-06-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Uncle Bradley has stepped up to support little Ashton! She's balding like an old man and its kinda humorous to look at! (She's got a "horse shoe" left with one little patch of bangs in the front!)
So he decided it was time to let her at his hair!

I don't think this will ever get old for her! She LOVES doing this...
GROSS!!! Gotta have a little fun while you can I guess....;)What a pair:)

Ashton's New Hair Do!

2010-06-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

Aunt Britney gave Ashton a CUTE little hair cut! She LOVES it!!

It's so fun to see how curly her hair really is! How wonderful!

Such support from those BRAVE enough!

2010-06-21T18:02:00.001-07:00

So, Uncle Peter (Dan's brother) decided to give his support by going bald for Ashton! I have a HUGE respect for all those even WILLING to do such a thing...I'm am way to chicken to even CUT my hair....So, here's some pixs of Ashton shaving Uncle Peter's head and LOVING it! I hear there's more guys ready to go bald for her too! I can't believe the all support for my sweet little girl! We are soooo humbled and grateful to EVERYONE supporting and praying for my baby! And a HUGE thumbs up to all those going bald with my Ashton. Her hair is starting to fall out by the way. As of Sunday...Just little clumps of it, but its every time I touch her hair with my fingers...makes my heart hurt every time I see a hair fall off her poor little head..She's an amazing little girl who must have made quite a deal with Heavenly Father to be willing to take on such a life! I'm lucky to have her!

First day of Chemo pixs

2010-06-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

She LOVED this doll that they gave her to give her the chance to be the nurse...pretty much!

Here she is pumping "meds" into the tube that she taped onto the dolls port! She LOVED the syringes!

Her nurse gave her a tea party set and that helped keep her busy for part of the 12 hours!

She gets pretty tired now and then..it comes in waves! You either get this

or this!
I'm just glad she still has the energy to do the things she loves! Even if its for a few minutes! I sure love this little girl!

Whats next?

2010-06-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well we have begun the year long road.

Today was ashton's first treatment with Chemo.

She has been amazing!

We will come back here to childrens every 3 weeks for treatment.

She will have a home health nurse come to the house every thursday and give her some meds and draw some blood.

She is a tough little girl and is doing great.

We started chemo today because all the results are in!

Her cancer is completely gone!!!!!!!!!

Just need to do treatments and then we will be good!

The bone marrow was clear and the fluid they thought they saw some atypical cells in was nothing related.

This truly is an answer to thousands of prayers!

We are so thankful for every one of them.

Our Father in heaven lives and he answers our collective prayers!

Look what Ashton did to Daddy!

2010-06-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

While we were at the hospital today, Ashton saw her first bald headed girl! All she had to say was, "Look at that girl..She looks funny.." So, Dan decided to let Ashton shave his head so that the "bald head" look wasn't so scary.. WHAT A TEAM PLAYER! Ashton's daddy ROCKS!

Just a daddy supporting his baby! I love this guy!
We can do this!

Ashton's Cancer

2010-06-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

So the Oncology team has given us a preliminary Stage of III and Group I

This means the cancer was a very large tumor but they got all of it out.

We are still waiting on results to see if it has spread to anywhere else.

She will begin chemotherapy late next week and it will last for a Year.

She will have treatments every three weeks and mini treatments every week with blood work.

She will lose her hair with in 7 to 10 days post matriculation.

Daddy will be shaving his head too!!!

Please continue to send your prayers heavenward!

As we get more news we will post here.

Thank you for all the love and support.

Pathology Report

2010-06-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

The pathology results are in.

Ashton has what is called Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Sarcomas are cancers that develop from connective tissues in the body, such as muscles, fat, membranes that line the joints, or blood vessels. There are many types of sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles. The body contains 3 main types of muscles. About 7 weeks into the development of an embryo, rhabdomyoblasts (cells that will eventually form skeletal muscles) begin to form. These are the cells that can develop into the cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Because this is a cancer of embryonal cells, it is much more common in children, although it does occur in adults occasionally.

One of the main rhabdomyosarcomas is;

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is the most common type of rhabdomyosarcoma. It usually affects infants and young children. The cells of ERMS look like the developing muscle cells of a 6- to 8-week-old fetus. ERMS tends to occur in the head and neck area, bladder, vagina, and in or around the prostate and testicles.

What’s next for Ashton?

On Thursday she will undergo some more testing i.e.: CT, Bone scan, and a bone marrow biopsy. After that is all done Thursday late afternoon she will have another surgery to place a Port-a-Cath (and venous blood access point) where they will be able to have a portal to begin Chemo with out damaging her peripheral veins. Thursday will be a long day at the hospital.

We still have one test still pending. While in surgery when the surgeon resected the tumor there was a small amount of fluid in her abdomen. They sent the fluid to the lab with the tumor for examination. The pathologist saw some cells in the fluid that he thought to be suspicious but wasn’t real sure. So they packaged the fluid and sent it to St Jude’s Research hospital for another pathologists review.

The one thing I am thankful for is that Ashton is not in any real pain. We are 5 days post-op and Ashton is acting normal. The road we have ahead will be a rocky one but we will prevail!

What can you do?

Please exercise faith on Ashton’s behalf.

Please remember her in your prayers.

Please support my wife she will need it.

My poor Ashton..

2010-05-30T13:15:00.001-07:00

My poor Ashton had surgery this past Wednesday. I noticed about a week ago that her tummy was feeling harder than usual and that it was lopsided. So last Tuesday I decided to go take her in to her pediatrician and they sent us to Evanston Hospital for an ultrasound and then a CT scan. They could finally see that it was a tumor but didn't know what kind it was and where it was originating from. So, we then needed to go to Children's Memorial Hospital for surgery to get a biopsy to decide how to take care of the tumor..We then had about one hour to go home and pack our bags for a 3 day hospital stay..Poor Ashton was probably so confused and annoyed that we were going to the hospital instead of Nana's for the weekend! To her, nothing hurt and nothing was wrong with her belly!
S0, we spent the night in the hospital Tues night and Wed. morning the were preparing to take Ashton in to surgery. They told us they just wanted a piece of the tumor to test it so they could decide what to do next-either take it all out or do chemotherapy to shrink it down. So, we were all kinda in the dark until they were in the middle of digging around inside of her. Then they called us during surgery and told us they could tell they'd be able to take the whole thing out right then and there. It was the size of a CANTELOUPE!! SCARY!! So that was great news that they were able to get it all out! So about 2 hours later she they got it all out, sewed her up and she was doing great! It felt like forever until we could go see her again! But we went back to her recovery room and stayed till Sat afternoon healing and praying! She had a tube up her nose that went down into her stomach, one IV in one arm and one in the other, she had an epidural in her spine, and a cathader in her bladder. She had tubes and wires coming out every hole you could think of! Poor baby! She had fasted from Tues afternoon until Thurs. afternoon!! My poor baby! They told us they ended up having to cut out 5% of her bladder cuz the tumor was sitting on it and they didn't want any cells or tissue left behind. So she had to keep her cathader in her bum the longest to let her bladder heal. She was soooo excited to get that out and go pee by herself! So, we FINALLY got to go home once they saw that her bladder was working on its own. And that was Saturday afternoon. So it is SOOO great it be home finally...that was the most awful thing I've ever had to do...my poor Ashton...she just kept saying everyday "I wanna go home!" "I just wanna go sleep in my tinkerbell bed!" It was so heartbreaking seeing her in such pain. She has a cut from her belly button, straight down to her pubic bone..Its about 4 inches long. No stitches or staples. They glued it together so it really doesn't look too bad..lol...for a slice right down ur tummy..She's doing really great though! She's walking around fine and eating and playing. She hasn't complained about her tummy so far! And to top it off, one of our friends in our ward surprised her with a homecoming present...a PUPPY...AHHHHH!!!!!!!! lol...it's actually not that bad...its a good little dog and it makes Ashton happy and preoccupied. Anything to make her feel happier right now! So I really don't mind too bad..
Anyway...that's the news so far...we've been REALLY blessed so far and we couldn't be more grateful! We're still waiting to hear back from the lab about the test they're running on the tumor. There are a few possibilities: it could be just a harmless tumor that won't come back since they got it all, it could be a cancerous tumor that only grows in that same spot-but since they got it all out she'll just have periodic check ups to keep an eye on her, or it could be a cancerous tumor that can grow anywhere in her body and she'll have to do chemotherapy to kill all the cancer cells.
So...we're definately hoping, fasting and praying that its harmless and all gone so she can be done and not have to go back!! It's been really stressful!!! We will HOPEFULLY find out this Tues from the lab to see what kind of a tumor it is.
This is Ashton before surgery..so SAD!!
She's all decked out in her "pixie dust" that her anesthesiologist brought her the day after surgery! How nice! It made her day:)

Our last family get together before they left for Utah...bummer...There's Ashton passed out in her bed!
Yay! Finally walking around!

This was Ashton's homecoming present from the Trudeau's! wow....Alleisha, Alex, and Brigham bought this puppy for Ashton with their own money! Such amazing kids....Ashton could not have been happier! She has named her "Sharlee" and hasn't left her alone for ONE minute! haha...so much love! (Doesn't Ashton look a MILLION times better already?!! She's walking around and carrying the puppy around all over the place! I'd say she's bouncing right back! I'm amazed...)

So thank you for ALL your prayers for my sweet little Ashton...I really appreciate it..Ashton's my world and we're so grateful to have her!

Losing my family!

2010-05-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Ok...nobody asked me if it was ok to leave Illinois after 13.. or so.. years! My family (mom, dad, Brad, Austin and Jackie) has decided to move to ST. GEORGE, UT!.....WHAT?! Ya...it hasn't quite sunk in yet...although the last several times we've been over to their house it has been more and more evident....the empty-ish rooms and stacks of boxes everywhere is strange...They leave in like 23 days or something now. So surreal! We've ALWAYS been able to hop right on over to grandma's house for a play day or Sunday dinner or birthday or WHATEVER...not anymore! It'll be more of a hop skip and a jump jump jump over to grandma's house...:(( Until then, I'll sit here, wasting my 23 days, wondering if it's really gonna happen. And wonder what in the WORLD we will do on those days that we would just run on over for no reason at all...How depressing.. Then I remember, my brother Brad! He has decided to stay for the summer semester taking a class or two at CLC and working. Since we are the closest to CLC, he's going to be living with US! I'm not quite sure how its going to work really, since all we have is our room and Ashton's room! I'm thinking, Ashton's bunkbeds!?? haha!! (Brad is about 6'3") Oh well, its family and a live-in babysitter! I am THRILLED about that..However, that too shall end in August. I'm trying to focus on the time we have left and the times to come! So here's how we're spending the last month or so with my family:

A day at the ZOO!
Awe...I love this picture of these three!!
Definitely NOT the best family picture but it was the only one....:/
Playing with Aunt Jackie:)
Catching raindrops with Grandpa! What a perfect end to a perfect day:)

Our trip to Utah!

2010-03-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'M HOME

2010-03-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Ok! Soooo, Utah's GREAT! We had a BLAST! Dan was actually job hunting online while we were out there for jobs in Salt Lake! Haha!! Quite the transformation huh? Now that we're home, I must say, I do LOVE being home. There's nothing quite like it.. I did enjoy all the aMaZiNg food and scenery there. It was soooo strange to have everyone be so happy. I didn't realize how grouchy people can look around here! Haha! It was also wonderful to be around family that we haven't seen in YEARS! And to look out and see 3 temples at the same time! You can't do that anywhere else in the WORLD! Ashton l.o.v.e.d. the moutains. Everytime we looked out the window it was, WOOOOOW! The drive was suprisingly easy! Except for those last 6 hours that seemed to go on forever! Ashton never cried, whinned, or complained (OR PUKED!) the entire time! I was so proud of her. And grateful for Nana's ginger cookies and good ol' dramamine! gotta love 'em! Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute in Utah! Thanks to everyone, especially family, who made it wonderful! And thanks to my Lovie who was my appointed tour guide:) lovin'!

p.s. no serious job opportunities so far! ;)

Me? spend money to go to UTAH?? no...

2010-03-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

So, nothing personal to all you Utah lovers, but I have never really been a huge fan.. and here I am, after all these years, making a trip out there with the fam.(Daniel's side)! I wouldn't miss this for the world though.. Daniel's sister is getting sealed to her hubby in the Salt Lake Temple this coming Saturday! We're soooo excited for them and, I have to admit, glad they gave an excuse to go out there so see the Salt Lake Temple! We'll be there for 6 days. Having never actually been to Salt Lake City, I must say I'm curious to see what all the hype is about. Mountains, Cafe Rio, Zuppas, Chik-fil-a, Rumbi's? We'll see..;)
Regardless, I feel this won't be the last time I'll find us vacationing in Utah..especially since my parents and baby sis/babysitters are moving to St. George! I can handle St. George though. Does it even count as Utah? At least it's warmer than here! I don't think I'll mind spending Christmases in St. George! We will miss them though...that means I'll have to actually depend on my ward family! How strange! ;)
So, wish me luck this coming week. I'll take pictures and come back with a review!

2010-03-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, I thought I should document this momentous occasion! I have FINALLY straightened Ashton's hair! I have been sooo paranoid that her hair is much too fine and thin to subject it to such damage..but I finally threw my caution to the wind and attacked! I was so excited! She could've cared less! The only cool part was that she had hair "like Aunt Jackie!" So pretty...:) This little girl better be grateful for her hair when she grows up! I'm jealous! Blonde, curly or straight! sometimes both...Nobody's perfect! ;)

February happenings

2010-03-01T15:28:00.000-08:00

(Pic 1)Uncle Austin/Elder Schupple mailed the girls soccer shirts from his mission in Argentina! They LOVED them! Ashton was excited they were blue; her FAVORITE color! THanks UNCLE AUsTin!

(Pic 2) They can't control their love for each other. GROUP HUG! or tackle...
We decided to move Ashton out of her toddler bed. Her crib is made to transition into a nice full bed, but Dad (WAY more fun than MOM!) decided we should set up her bunk beds! What a "fun" filled Saturday THAT was..ugh! She LOVES them and actually stays in her bed better than she used to! YAY DAD!!!!! Now we're ready for a sibling to fill the other bed! Or a friend to come sleep over! Whichever comes first! :)

Ashton is the only one in our house who actually LIKES exercising! lol...nice push up babe!

Pictures of the latest

2009-10-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

Wow...sorry guys...its been so long I almost forgot I even had a blog! Well, nothing new to report really...life's the same over here! Just thought I'd put up some pictures of the past few months activities:)Sorry the captions and pictures are out of order...I just like to keep people guessing! OK....
Ashton and I went to Wagner's Farm and she loved milking the cow the best...

Then there's Jablonski's and us at Six Flags! Ashton always has her hands up before the roller coaster, The Whizzer, even starts moving!

Wonderful Clover decided to snag Ashton and take her to Indiana for 5 days so Dan and I went to the water park, Key Lime Cove, just down the street! So FUN!

Whenever Ashton has a secret to tell, its always that we're going to the temple! So Dan decided we should take her one day! She loved it! Such a cutie! That's it for now!

oh ya..

2009-07-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

I forgot one other tiny new thing that happened! About a month ago we purchased our FIRST BRAND SPANKIN' NEW CAR!!! We wanted to get something that had amazing fuel efficiency and something that will last us long enough to hand down to Ashton when she's old enough! ;) So, all that, with our BUDGET in mind....we got a 2009 Toyota Yaris. Its light blue and is stick! We LOVE it soooo much! Dan drives it to work so its already got some miles on it...like 200 or so! We feel so blessed and its such a relief to know he'll get to and from work ALIVE! So, ya..that's it! :D pictures are coming when I get more time...:D

July updates

2009-07-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Don't worry...we are still alive! I've just been to lazy to do any updates lately! I guess the sun trumps blogs...any day! Well, let's see....maybe it's just because there's nothing new going on...HAHA! ya that sounds about right....
Dan starts his new position as head honcho of his department on MONDAY!!! YAY!!! its about time!
Ashton is now UN potty trained...GRR....we'll see if we can jump back on that train soon...ugh how exhausting! She has also learned to copy me...only when she's in time out. She'll tell me to "SHHH" and to "zip. your. mouth." and to "get rid of the attitude"...ya, maybe i need to re-evaluate my choice of words to her!!! HAHA!!! It's not fun to be told those things! I can't help but laugh...and that DOESN'T help! So, to say the least, I hope she grows out of this sassy stage soon! Oh wait...she's a girl..it'll just get worse and worse! goodie... One of the cuter thing she says these days is that she wants a baby sister! AWE!!! I just tell her me too and that we needs to ask Heavenly Father! (We haven't been preventing since the day she was born..about a year or so ago we were actually HOPING to get pregnant but nothing. And here we are, almost 3 years after Ashton, and still nothing...So, all we can do is keep on praying and trying!:D ) I'll def keep ya posted on that;)
As for me, my life is Ashton's life and enjoying any and all the time we get with our favorite guy! Dan decided it would be fun to get season passes to Six Flags this year, since Ashton's still free! She LOVES it! Someday Dan will finally have a roller coaster buddy! Such fun! Here's some pixs of the latest!

JUST GRATEFUL!!!

2009-04-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

OK, so about 3 weeks ago Dan got a job teaching at a college just down the road. He is LOVING every minute of it! There was some drama going on when he started tho..Of course right!...So, here's the background: I guess the professors at this college were getting into some lazy and bad habits so they hired a new Director of Education about 6 months ago. This new director has cracked down on the rules and is trying to clean house now...I guess she has told some of them to clean up their act or find another job..pretty much! So last Wednesday, Dan comes into work and gets pulled into the director's office...he's thinkin' uh oh...turns out, earlier that morning, she fired the guy that hired him! She said she got rid of that guy and wanted Dan to take his position: The HEAD OF DEPARTMENT!!!!!!(its the medical something department...I can't remember the exact name of his dept...)but Holy cow....ya..so he is super excited to say the least! I mean who gets promoted 2.5 weeks after getting hired! What an amazing hubby I have! Seriously, its the blessings that come from paying tithing! We are just sooooo grateful for all these blessings from obeying the simple things we're asked to do! Life is so amazing right now! I'm just so happy for Dan! He so deserves this and I'm so proud of him! Love you babe!

FHE help!?

2009-03-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've decided I need to be better about having Family Home Evenings with Ashton... I have some lessons but they're still too old for Ashton...I've talked through them with the pictures and everything but I was wondering if anyone had any great ideas or knows of any ways to make Family Home Evenings effective and fun with a TWO YEAR OLD! So....PLEASE comment with ANY ideas you have!:D Thanks for your help moms!

Fun in Indiana

2009-03-24T06:44:00.001-07:00

Sessions Family Pictures

2009-03-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

My Baking Adventures

2009-03-24T05:54:00.001-07:00

Dan's job update!!

2009-03-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

By request....ChRIsAnNA!...;) I am giving ya all an update even though I don't have ANY pictures to go with it..I never post unless i have pictures..But a big change has occured that we're SUPER happy about; Dan got a new job!!! WUHOOOOOOO!!!! Dan used to be an anesthesia tech and Lake Forest Hospital and was HATING everyday (not the work, just his co-workers). So, he has been frantically searching for ANY other job for the past several months until he goes back to grad school in the fall. This past Friday night he got a call saying he got the job for a teaching position at a community college in Skokie(by the temple) with TWICE the pay he was getting at the hospital! He's teaching Anatomy and Phisiology aka his DREAM JOB(for now at least!) He is soooo stoked and loving every minute! He started Monday and will have long days...But at least its only Mon-Thurs. Yay for long weekends! I'm soooo happy for him! I told him it won't sink in for me until that 1st paycheck...;) haha. That's the latest so far..no word from any schools wanting him to attend thier school...so we'll just keep on praying for that! All we need is ONE yes! Keep your fingers crossed he gets in somewhere.:)

Elder Schupple

2009-02-11T11:55:00.001-08:00

This is Austin about to kill a snail (I think) on their kitchen counter...GROSS!!!
Austin and his zone went to the zoo in Buenos Aires on his pday this week. I love elephants:) this one looks like he got outta his cage or something! crazy...
Awe...this is my little brudder, Austin. Isn't he so cute:) He's on his mission (only a year and a half left!....;)) in Argentina, Buenos Aires, South. I miss him lots... ya all should write or email him!:) austinschupple@yahoo.com

Who cares about the updates..I want pictures!

2009-02-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

So I'm like the WORST blogger in the world, I've decided.. I used to get annoyed when people would write forever about what they're up to these days..But I've come to realize I'm the only one who DOESN'T! hmm...I have finally come to the realization that that is kinda the whole point of a blog! My sister told me that your blog is like your online journal with pictures! And you can get it PRINTED! So, here I am...journaling....I hate journaling...if that's even a word! But I shall try to be better at it~
K so here's MY family update...
Dan just graduated this past December (WUHOO) with his B.S. in Andragogy. No mom I didn't make up that word! Its adult education. So now he's applying like crazy to a million places so that he can actually USE his degree and get paid like he has a degree...Meanwhile, Dan has also applied to several med schools..so...Dan will HOPEFULLY get a job. Work there until July or until school starts, and then we will move to wherever he gets accepted for school! Crazy huh! Sounds like fun to me! I'm so ready for a change! We've been living in Gurnee for 4 years now, while he finished his undergrad. So I'm ready for somewhere WARMER for a change. He's applied to a school in TEXAS:), UTAH:), Indiana, Chicago.., and Massachusetts. I'm voting for Texas or Utah personally...But, I'll go where you want me/us to go, dear Lord! :) Well, Ashton's up from a too short a nap..so here's the end of jounal post number one! I'll keep ya all posted on when we hear anything from schools and jobs! Here's to CHANGE! :D

Random pictures from Jan09

2009-02-04T11:21:00.001-08:00

Me and my gorgeous baby sister, Jackie:)
The girls snuck away from a few minutes and found grandma's lipstick and nail polish! Hey what are cousins for right?:)
Hee hee..."we got caught" faces. Ashton's apparently bound and determined to finish her nails before someone takes it away!
Wow...so funny! She started doing this face in the car the other day and I can't believe I actually had my camera on me!
Nice Ashton.. Love it:)

New Years with the Sessions!

2009-02-04T11:12:00.001-08:00

Ashton had everyone wrapped around her little finger! Everytime she would laugh (very fake and forcefully if you can't tell..) everyone else would copy her. What a great grandpa! love that face!
Once again, everyone at her beck and call! It must be nice to be the only grandchild!...ring around the rosie never gets old right?? :)
Taking out the trash with grandpa! What a good little helper! So cute:)
No, we did not get a new dog...we went to the pet store and she got to play with this adorable little guy!
And she obviously LOVED him! So much fun! Maybe in a few years...or so...:/

RANDOM PIXS! sorry they're so out of order...

2008-09-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

Loving the zoo with Dad!
Ashton and Kayla got thier faces painted
so cute!
Doing crafts and the zoo. Hi Ashton..
Me and Ashton...again!:) Just a sort of recent pix of ALL of us together..:)
My lil cutie
Awe man! ISN'T THAT FACE TO DIE FOR!!!
Dan's new passion: he's been riding his bike to and from work these days. CRAZY!! Its about 25 miles total. I made him take before and after pixs:) This is after his practice run one saturday morning. He LOVES IT!
On the way to the ZOO!

Tim Tam Slam!

2008-09-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

Jake and Jessica with baby Joey!
Jake taught us how to do the Tim Tam Slam. They even have official cups! LOVE IT! K so its a chocolate covered cookie. You bite off opposite corners and sip hot Milo through the cookie till it starts to melt. Then you shove it in your mouth! And there you have the TimTam Slam:) Thanks Jake!
SOOOOO GOOD!!!
I was a little slow with the slam part....apparently there's no being delicate about it or it just doesn't work!
Nice Jake..

Ashton in THE BUCKET

2008-06-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

This is Ashton's favorite thing to do at Grandma's house! My little thrill seeker!

Ashton at Kayla's Gymnastics

2008-06-20T14:15:00.001-07:00

The Latest at random!

2008-06-20T14:06:00.001-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Sessions' House!

2008-06-20T13:37:00.001-07:00

Water Park!

2008-03-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

This ones kinda blurry. Dan had Ashton on his shoulders and we would jump up and down in the water. She LOVED it! Big smiles:) Poor Dan looks like he's drowning!

Dan and Ashton going thru the mini whirl pool.
Ashton's wrinkly feet after a full day of swimming! They kinda look cold and purple too...

We went to an indoor water park for Dan's spring break and Ashton LOVED being in the water! My little fish!:)
Wave to Grandma!
She LOVES jumping in! Excuse the cleavage...it the only suit we could borrow last min...all our clothes are still in a warehouse somewhere...ugh..
Swimming in so tiring! Big yawns!
This is her excited pre-jumping to dad face.

Easter:)

2008-03-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Our Shedd Aquarium Trip!

2008-03-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

This is a really blurry picture..I dunno what Ashton's looking at and GREAT face Kayla! haha! Oh well...its all we got with all 4 of us..:)

Here's Ashton posing on the turtle. She needs to learn how to smile ON COMMAND! :) I think she's still cute!
Ashton and Kayla were SO excited to see the dolphins jumping! Ashton couldn't stop dancing to the music! So cute:)
The girls! (minus Keira...next year honey!)
Me and Ashton watching the turtles pee everywhere..
This was sooo funny! We went to look at the Komodo Dragon and as soon as Ashton stepped up to the glass he turned his head and stared at Ashton till we walked away! "YOU LOOK GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!!!"

YAY!

2008-03-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

K thanks Rocko and Ashley!! I finally sat down and figured it out! Now its like duh...:) Thanks girlies! oh and Rochelle I need ur url address...it won't let me view it when I click on it..LOVE YA! Have a fun spring break ya all. It's freaking SNOWING here....wuhoo...and HAPPY EASTER! I wanna see pixs of everyone in thier cute Easter get ups!:) lvlv!

HELP!

2008-03-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

So I totally need some help with this blogging thing...HOW THE HECK do you make your friends list on the sidebar????.....ugh..I feel so stupid...Somebody help me out pls!....;) thanks guys...:)

SO CHEEZY!!!

2008-03-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

These pixs will put a smile on anyone's face! Ashton and Kayla being cheezy for Aunt Brit's camera. The other one is Jackie going down the slide at Burger King. Ashton wasn't quite sure about that one...so funny!

Some February pixs

2008-02-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

Ashton and Kayla LOVING the popsicles Aunt Britney gave them:)

HAHA YUMMY!!! "My mommy NEVER gives me this kinda stuff!!"

Just a few of my favs of Ashton:)

2008-02-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Just my lil squirt being CUTE!:) Grandma Sessions made a Bears hat for her so she wouldn't feel left out in our little family, Ashton tryin to give Kayla(Brit's oldest), and Ashton's 1st pedicure! so fun!:)Sorry they're so random!!

the latest mishap..

2008-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

We had a little "fire" in our house about a month ago. Luckily the fire was contained inside the little kerosene heater but our house was covered in suit...so we're living with my parents (THANK YOU!) until our house is done being cleaned and re-painted. (thank goodness for home owners insurance!) so here's some pixs of the damage. it looks worse in real life. that's always the way it is huh! I thank our Heavenly Father everyday for protecting our little Ashton. She got the worst of it all cuz the heater was in her room...:'( But we're all ok and grateful for everyone willing to help! we love u!

Ashton's B-Day pixs

2008-02-26T16:40:00.001-08:00

Here's some pixs of Ashton's 1st birthday...in Nov..:) so I'm a little behind! She's so fun!

We've finally joined the bloggers club!

2008-02-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

Yay I finally sat down and created a blog! Sorry if its not that great...I'm not very techy...anyway have fun! love u all:)